Implantable hearing aid
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in amplifying certain frequencies and canceling other frequencies, which apparatus is insertable at least partially through a tympanic membrane of a user, the apparatus comprising:
- an actuator for stimulating an eardrum;
an acoustic sensor for measuring a level of acoustic energy transmitted to an ear canal and/or the ear drum of the user; and
an electronics package for controlling the actuator and the acoustic sensor, the electronics package configured to transmit amplified selected sound waves while canceling out other sound waves having a particular frequency or frequencies.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to assistive hearing devices. In one aspect, an apparatus for use in amplifying certain frequencies and canceling other frequencies is provided. The apparatus is insertable at least partially through a tympanic membrane of a user. The apparatus includes an actuator for stimulating an eardrum. The apparatus further includes an acoustic sensor for measuring a level of acoustic energy transmitted to an ear canal and/or the ear drum of the user. Additionally, the apparatus includes an electronics package for controlling the actuator and the acoustic sensor, wherein the electronics package is configured to transmit amplified selected sound waves while canceling out other sound waves having a particular frequency or frequencies. In another aspect, an apparatus for use in measuring a parameter in a body is provided. In a further aspect, a method of selectively transmitting sound waves having a predetermined frequency or frequencies is provided.
87 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in amplifying certain frequencies and canceling other frequencies, which apparatus is insertable at least partially through a tympanic membrane of a user, the apparatus comprising:
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an actuator for stimulating an eardrum; an acoustic sensor for measuring a level of acoustic energy transmitted to an ear canal and/or the ear drum of the user; and an electronics package for controlling the actuator and the acoustic sensor, the electronics package configured to transmit amplified selected sound waves while canceling out other sound waves having a particular frequency or frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for use in measuring a parameter in a body, which apparatus is insertable at least partially through a tympanic membrane of a user, the apparatus comprising:
- a member for stimulating an eardrum;
a sensor for measuring an acoustic or mechanical energy from the tympanic membrane; and an electronics package for controlling the member and the sensor, the electronics package configured to measure a temperature, a heart rate, a blood pressure, a respiratory rate, oxygenation, other physiologic parameters or combinations thereof.
- a member for stimulating an eardrum;
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15. A method of selectively transmitting sound waves having a predetermined frequency or frequencies, the method comprising:
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inserting an apparatus at least partially through a tympanic membrane of a user, the apparatus comprising an actuator, an acoustic sensor and an electronics package; receiving sound waves in an ear canal of the user; filtering out the sound waves having the predetermined frequency or frequencies from other sound waves by utilizing the electronics package; and transmitting the sound waves having the predetermined frequency or frequencies to the tympanic membrane of the user by utilizing the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification